Exactech acquires XpandOrtho

Gainesville, Fla.-based Exactech said that it plans to incorporate XpandOrtho’s soft tissue balancing technology into its ExactechGPS computer-assisted surgery system designed to support shoulder and knee replacements.

“This allows our technology, which has been in development for more than seven years, to be brought to market for the benefit of surgeons and their patients,” founder Dr. Clifford Colwell said in a prepared statement.

XpandOrtho won FDA clearance in 2017 for an electronic soft-tissue balancing instrument intended for total knee arthroplasty. The tool uses multiple sensors within a knee joint to guide soft tissue balancing, and a novel pneumatic-based bellows system which wirelessly communicates with a display to provide gap balancing feedback throughout the knee’s range of motion, the companies said.

“The acquisition of XpandOrtho supports Exactech’s growth strategy and commitment to improving surgeon experience and patient outcomes. Their innovative ligament balancing technology provides a strong framework for integration into our ExactechGPS system to further advance our award-winning Truliant total knee system. We look forward to collaborating with XpandOrtho founders Cliff Colwell and Darryl D’Lima on continued development of advanced knee replacement technology,” Exactech CEO David Petty said in a press release.

At DeviceTalks Boston, Tyler Shultz will give attendees an inside look at Theranos and how he was able to sound the alarm after he realized the company was falling apart. Shultz will take attendees behind the story that everyone is talking about: the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes and her diagnostic company, Theranos.